Camminiamo insieme
Jubilee of Catechists: a celebration that ignites the joy of proclaiming the Gospel
Editrice Shalom
Tempo di lettura: 3 min
Autore: Editrice Shalom
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There are moments when the heart opens to something greater. The Jubilee of Catechists is one of those moments. It is the Churchβs embrace of those who, day after day, sow the Word with love, patience, and hope.
In a world that rushes by, the Jubilee of Catechists invites us to slow down, look one another in the eye, and rediscover the deep meaning of the βwhyβ behind educating others in the faith. It is a time of grace, when every catechist can feel part of a greater story, written with the Gospel and lived with the heart. It is a celebration that renews the vocation and rekindles the joy of proclaiming the faith.
Who are the protagonists?
They are the catechists: often unseen faces, but people with an irreplaceable mission in transmitting and deepening the faith. Mothers, fathers, young people, older adults, religious and laypeople who, with quiet passion, serve the Christian community by proclaiming the Gospel and accompanying children, young people, and adults on their journey of faith. They are witnesses, not merely teachers. They do not only pass on what the faith teaches, but also how to live it concretely in everyday life. They are light on gray Sundays, a voice amid profound questions, and outstretched hands in times of doubt.
What is the Jubilee of Catechists?
It is a special event of the Holy Year, dedicated to those who have chosen to serve God by educating others in the faith. A time for meeting, prayer, formation, and celebration. An opportunity to feel part of a universal mission, to receive strength, to share experiences, and to be renewed by the Spirit. It is also a precious opportunity to thank catechists for the enthusiasm with which they live out their mission at the service of the Church; to pray with and for them, so that they may proclaim and bear witness to the Word of God with courage and creativity, through their lives, conduct, and words, with the strength and joy of the Holy Spirit.
When will it take place?
The Jubilee of Catechists will be celebrated from September 26 to 28. It will begin on Friday, September 26, with a pilgrimage and passage through the Holy Door, with the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the jubilee churches. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a Prayer Vigil will be held in St. Peterβs Basilica.
Saturday will begin with the Holy Fatherβs Jubilee Audience (10:00 a.m.) and will then continue with the passage through the Holy Door, with the opportunity to go to Confession. From 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the program will become an itinerant one across Romeβs various jubilee churches, where a rich series of formation and celebration events will be held, organized by language.
Two intense, emotion-filled days, culminating on the morning of Sunday, September 28, 2025, with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Pope Leo XIV, during which several new catechists will be instituted.
Why is it important?
The Jubilee of Catechists is an opportunity to recognize the value of their service, renew their vocation to proclaim the Gospel, and strengthen their sense of belonging to the universal Church. It is also a time for formation and encounter, where experiences are shared and new inspiration is received for the mission. Because a catechist is not merely someone who conveys content, but a builder of relationships, a sower of hope, and an artisan of faith. The Jubilee is the Churchβs βthank you,β Godβs βcourage, keep going,β and the βyou are not aloneβ that every catechist needs to hear.
Pope Francis β who formally instituted the ministry of catechist with the Motu proprio Antiquum ministerium on May 10, 2021 β used to say: Β«Being a catechist means bearing witness to the faith; being consistent in oneβs life. And this is not easy. It is not easy! We help and guide people to encounter Jesus through our words and our lives, through our witness. May people see the Gospel in our lives and be able to read the Gospel. And βbeingβ catechists requires love, an ever stronger love for Christ, and love for his holy people.Β» This is our wish for all of them!
May this Jubilee of Catechists be a light, a source of strength, and a new beginning for all those who have chosen to say βyesβ to the call of love.
